3D imaging: A career-saver & bond-builder in medical sector

The implementation of 3D imaging has grown considerably in the medical sector. It has become a career-savor for athletes and a medium to build intimacy between mother and unborn child.

3D imaging has made great strides and helped medical professionals to approach from different angles, resolutions, and details. 3D visualization has enabled faster diagnosis and saving lives by better detection of conditions that were undetectable through traditional imaging techniques. Getting a precise images of blood vessels and bones have assisted in making the faster decision for diagnosis as compared to conventional techniques. According to Gordon Harris, director of the 3D Imaging Service at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of Radiology, 3D imaging has become a significant aspect in radiology. He began the imaging program of hospital nearly two decades ago. He outlined that the number of cases has grown from two per day in the first month of inception of program to 130 per day in 2018. If the implementation of 3D imaging continues, the industry will grow significantly. According to the research firm Allied Market Research, the global 3D imaging market is expected to reach $21.34 billion by 2022. Following are some of the major events that signifies implementation of 3D imaging to gather more information and save lives:

Personalized knee replacement:

Howard Harriston, a fitness instructor from Bowie, Maryland recently underwent an experience that involved 3D imaging. He has endured innumerable painkilling injections and many operations to cast aside damaged cartilage from the left knee. A personalized knee that would meet the demands of his active lifestyle was needed. 3D imaging and printing presented a solution. said Dr. Korboi Evans, the orthopedic surgeon who performs more than 100 knee replacement surgeries a year, sent the detailed computerized image of lower body of Harriston to Conformis. Conformis is a medical technology company which manufactures joint replacement implants through 3D printing. Then the company manufactured a replica of that knee. The replacement components were built based on the 3D printed knee to ensure the replica will be a proper fit.

Dr. Evans outlined that the technology lowers the surgery time and recovery time along with offering a better-fitting and comfortable replacement as compared to the conventional one-size-fits-all implants. The surgeon conveyed that patients were not able to get out of bed for nearly three to four days when he was practicing 15 years ago. He said, “With advancement in technology and surgical techniques and other pre-operative management tools, patients are up and walking that same morning.”

Mr. Harriston was allowed to go home three days after surgery as he could walk too fast with the help of walker. Six weeks after surgery, Harriston returned to his fitness class. He began working out and performing splits. The surgeon said, “He is doing things like splits that normal people shouldn’t do after having a routine knee replacement. Howard is unique because he’s young. Patients who require knee replacements are much older.”

Samsung’s new solution for better 3D images:

Samsung developed a new CrystalLive solution through its medical instrument arm Samsung Medison. This solution offers 3D images of fetuses and organs. The WS80A ultrasound device of the company utilizes this solution for clear imaging. This solution is expected to be released in United States, Europe, and Korea soon. It will help doctors to enhance accuracy of diagnosis by determining potential congenital diseases. In addition, the enhanced images of fetuses would enable mothers to see more clearer picture of their unborn child that would help in building intimacy.

In a statement, Samsung Medison said, “We plan to improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis through the CrystalLive engine and speed up our penetration into university-run hospitals, which call for high-level diagnosis.”

This engine is equipped with 3D rendering and color technologies of Samsung technologies to offer better clarity in images and enhanced structure expression. The company would reveal the system and the engine in other geographies as well following the relevant authorizations.